ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday that three of their fighters were injured as a result of an attack by Damascus-affiliated forces at the strategic Tishreen Dam.
“At exactly 4:00 pm today, factions affiliated with the Damascus government targeted the surroundings of the residential area at Tishreen Dam with artillery and heavy weapons, resulting in the injury of three fighters from our forces,” said the SDF in a statement.
The dam, located southeast of Manbij city on the Euphrates River, was constructed in 1999 and is one of Syria’s largest in terms of production and capacity. It generates electricity and once provided power to much of the Kurdish-held northeast Syria (Rojava).
But Syrian militia groups have launched sporadic attacks on the structure since November, seeking to control the dam for easier access into other areas held by the SDF. The attacks have dramatically decreased since SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a landmark agreement in March, which includes a nationwide ceasefire and the integration of all civil and military institutions in Rojava into the Syrian state.
However, mutual accusations between the SDF and the Damascus government have been ongoing, with each side blaming the other for recent attacks on their respective positions.
The SDF, which is the de facto military force of northeast Syria (Rojava), said in mid-December that Damascus-affiliated forces shelled areas near the dam.
“This constitutes a dangerous escalation, for which the Damascus government bears full responsibility, as it poses a direct threat to the security of the area, the lives of civilians, and vital infrastructure,” said the SDF in a statement.
Last week, clashes erupted between Kurdish Asayish forces - affiliated with the SDF - and Syrian government troops and allied factions in the two Kurdish neighborhoods of Syria’s northern Aleppo city, killing at least two people and injuring more than a dozen others.